While the great outdoors is by far the biggest attraction of Cumbria, the county’s arts and culture community is also well-equipped. Besides countless fire-side folk sessions, music venues in Cumbria’s towns and cities offer regular live performances by touring artists, as well as talented local musicians – with many offering the perfect setting to kick back and relax after a day on the hills.
The main arts hub of Kendal offers a wide-ranging live music schedule, as well as film, comedy, theatre and more, across its site – which opened in 1972 on the old premises of Vaux Brewery. You can expect at least a couple of gigs to feature in its listings each week.
A converted fire station in the City of Carlisle, this venue offers a variety of spaces for live performances, workshops, exhibitions and more, encourage local art and artists and attract international acts.
Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate 320-capacity, century-old church hall. A great spot to catch emerging bands.
This mixed-used space – on the site of Cumbria’s last iron ore mine – has offered workshops, film, art and live music since 2008. As well as regular jazz, ukulele and open mic nights, the centre also regularly hosts live bands.
Converted from a former school in an all-hands-on-deck community effort, the Kirkgate in Cockermouth is a theatre-cum-cinema which also hosts live music events. Watch out for the regular ‘Big Gig’ programme where appreciative audiences gather to hear the sort of contemporary folk musicians who find themselves top of the Radio 6 playlists.
Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate church hall.
A converted fire station in the City of Carlisle, this venue offers a variety of spaces for live performances, workshops, exhibitions and more.
A theatre-cum cinema in Cockermouth offering a wide programme of touring theatre, music, independent film and events to townsfolk and visitors.
Florence Mine has been transformed into a centre for cultural activity, offering workshops, gallery space, cinema and music venue.
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